Haiti – Earthquake: Doctors, nurses and psychologists at the bedside of victims in L’Asile

Following the terrible earthquake of August 14, 2021, considerable damage was recorded in the south of France. L’Asile, a commune in the Nippes department, was the worst hit in the region. More than thirty dead, some 500 injured, 2,500 houses damaged and 700 destroyed: this is the partial toll, according to Civil Protection officials. Residents are at a loss as to where to turn. On the initiative of artist and psychologist Vanessa Jeudi, a delegation of doctors and nurses rescued victims in the communal sections and downtown. Kits were distributed to the most vulnerable.
24 hours after the earthquake, Les Cayes and Jérémie were the only towns for which the media and public figures issued an SOS. After witnessing the adventures of her co-regionnaires via photos and videos, Vanessa used social networks to collect donations and mobilize a medical team to fly to the aid of the Asile victims. .

This group of health professionals, made up of 3 doctors, 4 nurses and a psychologist, was received on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 by the Director of the Asile referral hospital, Dr. Osnel Févry.

More than 50 patients were treated in Abricot, Lièvres and Changieux, according to Dr. Mickenson Exantus, leader of the medical brigade.

“Most of the wounds treated were washed, chemically debrided and bandaged,” Dr. Exantus told us.

“We urge the injured not to use any foreign objects on the wounds. We advise them to seek professional medical care,” he added.

Patients are whispering to doctors that they are starting to have gynaecological problems, as all the springs and rivers are now dirty. Vanessa Jeudi, the initiator of this project, pleads for continued solidarity with the victims at L’Asile. The feminist thanks the donors and hopes that the donations intended for the victims will be distributed in the most remote communal sections.

At every shift where doctors and nurses provide care, psychologist Vanessa Jeudi offers psychological support to those in need.

“It’s a two-stage process. The population is not well-informed about what a disaster is and what attitude to adopt in the event of an earthquake”, Ms. Jeudi relaxed in an interview with Hebdo24.

“With our patients, we first see the level of information about the disaster and the level of post-traumatic stress.

The level of panic after the earthquake, the anxiety shown by the patient, his palpitation and hyper-vigilance is the first phase of my work,” adds the psychologist.

The feminist also calls for the protection of homeless girls in the aftermath of the disaster.

Meanwhile, Fleurs de Lys and terms productions, under the leadership of engineer Schoig-Hwinnhah D. Policard, led a delegation of 27 doctors and psychologists to L’Asile, again with a view to caring for those injured in the earthquake. On a tour of the South of France, Mrs. Policard had added the victims of L’Asile to her long list.

According to Dr. Bertrand Sinal, some 200 patients were also treated at L’Asile by a delegation of 14 doctors led by the President of the Haitian Residents Doctors.

Medical personnel are still lending a hand on the ground, and others are promising reinforcements in the coming hours. Medicines are also promised to patients.